Riyadh is set to host its first-ever fashion exhibition spotlighting Pakistani designers, providing a significant opportunity for cultural exchange and collaboration between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. The inaugural Riyadh Fashion Couture 2024 will take place on November 16 and aims to strengthen ties between the two countries’ fashion industries.
The event, organized by Sharmeen Ehsan, Ayesha Mohsin, and Adnan Bashir Khan, experienced event managers with decades of expertise, will feature both emerging and established designers. 80 percent of the designers are from Pakistan, with the remainder hailing from India, the UAE, and the United States.
“The purpose of hosting this exhibition is to showcase Pakistan’s rich heritage, foster cultural exchange, and create a platform for collaboration between the fashion industries of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia,” said Ehsan. She emphasized that the event offers a fresh perspective on Pakistani fashion, which has traditionally been underrepresented in the Saudi market.
The exhibition will include renowned Pakistani designers such as Deepak Perwani, HSY, Agha Noor, Sadaf Amir, and Maliha Studio, alongside Indian designers like Pam Mehta and Asma Gulzar, known for their bridal couture and semi-formals.
Ehsan noted that the exhibition would also create job opportunities for local models, makeup artists, and designers. “This is a groundbreaking event for Riyadh, marking the first showcasing of contemporary Pakistani design talent in the city,” she added. “It will pave the way for future collaborations and contribute to the growing fashion scene in the Middle East.”
Deepak Perwani, one of Pakistan’s top designers, shared his excitement about the event, marking his first collection in Riyadh. “We’ve showcased in Dubai, Doha, and Bahrain, but this is the first time we’re presenting in Riyadh. There’s a huge potential market here, especially with the large Pakistani and Indian communities.”
Perwani will showcase a winter collection, evening wear, and semi-formals for the upcoming wedding and festive season. Pakistani actress Sajal Aly, famous for her role in Zard Patton Ka Bunn, will be the guest of honor at the event.
Ehsan further emphasized Riyadh’s emergence as a fashion hub, noting that the exhibition will highlight the creativity, craftsmanship, and innovation of Pakistani designers across various fields, including fashion, textiles, jewelry, and interior design.
